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Football: Sunlake 28, River Ridge 0

 
Published Sept. 6, 2014

LAND O'LAKES — Not only did River Ridge have to focus on getting past one of Pasco County's top defensive teams Friday night, but the field proved to be unsurpassable as well. The Royal Knights fell 28-0 to powerhouse Sunlake.

Neither team got off to the start it planned. River Ridge (1-1) fumbled on the first play of the game, but its defense lived up to the hype. It forced a three and out on Sunlake's opening drive, then blocked a Chris Wilkinson 9-yard field goal attempt.

Then Sunlake (2-0) found the end zone. After capitalizing on one of many River Ridge fumbles, quarterback Dayton Feiden was able to avoid a sack and scramble into the end zone from 9 yards out for the game's first score.

On the ensuing kickoff Trevor Duke eluded tackles to set up shop for River Ridge on the Seahawks' 34-yard line — the Royal Knights' best fielding position all night. Playing in front of a packed stadium, Austin Yeloushan (four tackles for loss, fumble recovery) stopped Chris Schwarz in the backfield throttling River Ridge's best chances to put points on the board.

"He's kind of taken over as the leader of the defense since Ben Wood has graduated. He was expected to step and so far he's done that," Sunlake coach Bill Browning said of his senior linebacker.

The ensuing drive produced more points for Sunlake. Two plays after Feiden connected with Naejaun Jackson on a 23-yard pass play, Terrence Jackson scored from 29 yards out on a double lateral to extend the Seahawks' lead to double digits.

Sunlake scored two more times on Justin Hall's passes to Will Alvarez and Nick Valdes (9 yards). River Ridge had an opportunity to score before the clock expired but was stuffed on fourth down from the Sunlake 6-yard line.

Soggy field conditions proved tough for both teams. River Ridge fumbled six times while Sunlake fumbled three times — but recovered all three.